Electrical switch inclosure or cabinet



Feb. 16 1926. s. D. HoRfroN 'E Lnc'mcm. siw'I'rcH mcnosuma oR-CABINET F'iled June 16 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. 16 pms. 1573.710

y AB. D. HORTON .ELECTRICAL SWITCH INCLOSURI 0R CABINET Filed Juni 16 1922 2 shuts-Sheet 2 y iii; i

Patented Feb. 16, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

IBRYSON D. HOR'ION, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO SQUARE D COMPANY, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN.

ELECTRICAL SWITCH INCLOSURE OR CABINET.

Application led June 16, 1922. Serial No. 568,877.

To au 'whom t may concern.

Be it known that I, BnrsoN D. HoRToN, a citizen of the United States, residing at 606() Rivard Street, Detroit, in the county of lVayne and State of Michigan, have invented new and useful Improvements in Electrical Switch Inclosures or Cabinets, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this speciiication.

This invention relates to an electrical switch `inclosure orv cabinet, and more particularly to an improved form of cabinet knock-out and trough fastening means.

In practice, when a plurality of service entrance switch cabinets are positioned in close proximity, it frequently becomes desirable and necessary to run conductors from one cabinet to the other, and in this case it has been found convenient to lead these wires through suitable troughs, especially troughs and the cabinets or inclosures Imust be a positive electrical contact.

The troughs used for this purpose have ordinarily been connected to the U-shaped knoclcout opening in the cabinet or inclosure by bolts and nuts which pass through holes drilled in the cabinet adjacent the U- shaped knock-out opening. These holes provided in the cabinet for this purpose are very objectionable since they provide an opening through which the inexperienced might and can insert wires or other foreign substances which might result in short-circuits, arcing, etc., which would seriously damage the apparatus connected to the circuit.

It is one .of the objects of this invention, therefore, to provide an improved means of knock-out in which there is no opening in the box through which foreign substances may be inserted. In the improved form, the opening utilized to connect the trough to the box is part of the cabinet knock-out and is completely closed when the trough is in position by the trough itself and the a6- coinpanying trough fastening means,

Another object of the invention consists of the provision of improved means for obtaining positive and good electrical contact between the cabinet wall and the trough.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description; the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

For the purpose of description, a preerred form of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawingsin which- Figure 1 is a plan view of two service switch inclosures interconnected by a trough;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the side wall of an inclosure, and illustrates the method of connecting the trough to said wall;

Fi 3 is a plan view of two walls of the switcl inclosure interconnected by the trough with the covers of the switch re moved;

Fig. 4 is a section taken on the plane represented by the line 4 4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a cross-section taken on the plane represented by the line 5 5 of Fig. 4;I

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the wall of the inclosure showing the form of the trough knock-out;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on the plane represented by the line 7-7 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is a side view of another form of trough and interconnecting means between the trough and the cabinet in which the cover of the trough is broken away to clearly yshow the method of cabinet and trough interconnect-ion; l

Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the inside wall of the cabinet showing in detail the means for interconnecting the type of trough illustrated in Figure 8 to the wall ot' the cabinet;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken on the plane represented by the line 10-10 of Figure 8f;

Fig. l1 is a sectional view taken on the plane represented by the line lll-411 of Figure 9, looking in the direction of the arrows, and illustrates the toot used to conneet the trough to the side wall of the cabinet and the interconnecting means;

Fig. 12 is a side elevation oi' the inside wall of the cabinet showin another preierred term of trough interconnecting means;

Eig. i3 a pian view of twe waiis of the switch inclosure interconnected by the trough with the cover of the trough lslightly broken away and utilizing the trough interconnecting means of Figure 12;

Fig. 14 is a section taken on the plane represented by the line 14-14 of Figure 12;

Fig. 15 is a sectional view taken on the plane represented by the line 15-15 of Figure 12;

Fig. 16 is a. side elevation of the wall of the inclosure showing the form of trough knock-out utilized with the preferred embodiment thereof illustrated in Figures 12 and 13; v

Fig. 17 is a section taken on the line 17- 17 of Figure 14; and,

Fig. 18 is a sectional view taken on the line 1S-18 of Figure 14.

T he trough used to carry the wires from one service entrance switch cabinet to the other, when these service switch cabinets are mounted in a row in close proximity, is preferablyv interconnected between these cabinets in the manner illustrated in Figure 1. As there. shown, the cabinets or inclosures 15 and 16 are interconnected by a through 17. The switches are| preferably provided with covers and with exterior operating han-dles such as 18.

The trough 17 comprises a U-shaped part 19 and a cover 2() (see Fig. 3). The U- shaped portion 19 is fitted at each end with flanges such as 2l and 22, the flanges 21 and 22 serving to inclose the edge of the trough knock-out provided in the side wall such as 23 and 24, respectively, of the cabinets. The trough knock-out provided in the side walls of the cabinet, such as 23, is of a U-shaped form to fit the part 19 of the trough. This U-shaped knock-out is fitted with an indenture 25, preferably V-shaped, which indenture serves to receive the iieans for securing the trough to the side wall of they cabinet. Adjacent to the outer edge of this V-shaped indenture is an upset projection 26. This upset projection is utilized to compensate for the thickness of the flange 21 of the trough 17 when said trough is connected to the cabinet by the interconnecting means to be hereinafter described, and also serves to insure positive electrical contact between the trough and the wall of the switch inclosure or cabinet.

As illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, the trough 17 is preferably connected to the side wall of the cabinet by means of a bolt snel'. as 27 and its cooperating washer 28 and nut 29. The bolt 27 is inserted through the V-shaped indenture between the edge ofthe Hang-c 2l of the U-shaped part 19 of the trough 17 and the upset projection 26. as clearly illustrated in Figures 4 and 5. llvhen the bolt 27 is thus inserted in place to fasten the trough to the side wall 23 of the cabinet, the flange 21 of the trough, to-

gether with the head of the bolt 2T. conipletely cover the V-shaped indenture 25, so that access to the interior of the cabinet is not possible.

As illustrated in Figure 5, the upset projection 26 is displaced a distance just equal to the thickness of the flange 21 of the trough 17, whereby the washer 28 and the nut 29 will rest against a surface substantially parallel to the side wall of the cabinet. lVhen the nut 29 is screwed home on the bolt 27, the washer will bind the iange 21 between itself and the side wall of the cabinet, and the washer will also be forced against the edge of the upset projection 26. When the nut 29 has thus been screwed up tight, the trough 17 is firmly held in place and electrical contact between the trough and the cabinet is insured through the contact between the washer and the edge of the upset portion 26. To make this electrical contact'more positive, the enamel is pret'- era-bly scraped from the edge of the upset 4projection 26 before the nut and washer are tightened up to secure the trough to the cabinet.

As will be evident from the foregoing de xcription, the knock-out for the trough in the cabinet, according to the teachings of this invention, is fitted with an indenture which serves as a means for receiving the bolt and nut used to secure the trough to the side of the cabinet. This indenture is removed from the wall of the cabinet with 'tioned after the trough knock-out has been displaced and the trough put in position.

This aperture originally provided in the switchinclosure has been the means of considerable Itrouble due to the insertion of foreign matters by the inexperienced through the aperture. This trouble is eutirely eliminated by the new form of knockout and trough interconnection hereinbefore described.

rfhe improved construction described, in addition to avoiding this aperture in the side of the switch inclosure, provides a more positive means for obtaining a good electrical connection between the trough and the cabinet as hereinbefore described.

Figures S, 9, 10 and 11 illustrate another form of trough interconnection. The form of trough knock-out used with this modified form of trough interconnection is the saine as that illustrated in Figure 6. In the moflitied form, as illustrated in the figures, the trough is equipped with a foot 32 provided with an aperture which receives the bolt 33 that passes through the wall of the cabinet 34 and is held in position by the uut 35. The trough is fitted with a flange 36, which carries a cut-out portion 37. This cut-out portion 37 is designed to receive the nut and prevent it from turning when the bolt 33 is drawn up tight.

In this construction the trough is slipped into position, as illustrated in Figures 8 and l1, after which the nut 35 is positioned in the cut-ont portion 37, and thereafter the bolt is passed through the foot 32 and into the nut and drawn up tight. IVhen the bolt and nut have thus been drawn up tight, the bolt is positively positioned and electrical contact is obtained between the surface of the nut which is in contact with the wall of the cabinet. To insure this electrical contact the enamel is removed from the face of the wall where this contact is made.

lIn the preferred form of trough interconnection, illustrated in Figures 12 to 18, inclusive, the trough is interconnected to the side of the cabinet by means of a snitable clip or bracket 40, which serves to ride over the edge of the flange 41 of the trough (see Figure 12) and thus hold the trough in place. The clip or bracket is provided with two forwardly projecting arms 42 and 43 (see Figure 14), the arm 42 resting on the inner surface of the trough and the arm 43 resting in the depression 44 positioned in the side wall of the switch inclosure, as clearly illustrated in Figure 14. The upset portion of the side Wall of the switch inclosure, which furnishes the depression 44 in which the arm 43 rests, is positioned directly beneath the V-shaped cut-out or indenture 45 which extends fro-m the U-shaped trough knock-out 46. The clip or bracket 40is preferably held in position onthe side wall7of the switch by means of a screw such as 4 As will be evident from the illustrations, the clip or bracket 40, when screwed into position, as illustrated in Figure 14serves to hold the trough in its position in the side wall and also prevents raising of the trough out of its set position in the lower part of the trough knock-out. This raising of the trough is prevented by the arm 43 which rests in the Adepression 44 which `serves to bold the clip lor bracket 40 inthe. position with its arm 43 in said depression, and consequently also serves to hold the trough in its normal position in this side wall knockout.

In the.` preferred form of trough interconnection, illustrated in Figures 12 to 18, inclusive, the trough is inserted into the side wall of the switch by first removing the Lil-.Shaped trough knock-.out with the V- shaped indenture 45. The trough is then slipped into position andthe clip or bracket 4() positioned in place witn its arm 43 in the depression and the arm 44 riding on the inside surface ot' the trough. The holdingscrew 4T is then screwed into position and when screwed up tight will hold the trough in. its lowermost position in the. knock-out, from which position it cannot be raised unless the clip or bracket 4() is loocened so as to permit the arm 42 to ride out of the depression 44.

,In this form of trough iuterconilection good electrical contact is obtained between the side of the switch box and the clip at the point where the arm 43 of the clip rides in the depression 44, and at. the point where the clip or bracket 40 rides over the edge 5() of the trough. Consequently, with this type of interconnection, positive electrical contactis insured between the trough and the switch housing.

It will be evident from the foregoing description that with the construction of trough land trough interconnection illustrated and described, the usual openings normally provided in the cabinetfor connecting the trough thereto are avoided 'and an improved form of construction is furnished to insure electrical contact between thel trough and the cabinet. These advantages are obtained in a construction which is simple and easy to manufacture and consequently' without any additional manufacturing expense.

Obviously, the invention is not limited to the specific embodilnent thereof hereinbefore illustrated and described. but is capable of many variations within the scope and spirit ofthe invention as set out in the appended claims.

lVhat I now claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent. from the United States is:

1. In a device of the character described. in combination, a U-shaped trough. the wall of a switch inclosure comprising, r. U- shaped trough knock-out, an indenture extending into the side of said wall from the edge of said U-shaped knock-out, and means extending through said indenture which serves to fasten said trough to said wall.

2. In a device of the character described, in combination. a U-shaped trough, the wall of a switch inclosure comprising, ,a U- ,5.,

shaped trough knock-out, a V-shaped indenture extendiircr into the side of said wall from the edge ot said U-shaped knock-out. and means extending through said V-shaped indenture serving to fasten said trough to 4said wall.

3. In a, device of the .character described, in combinati-on, a U-shape'd trough. the wall of a switch inclosure comprising a U- shaped trough knock-out, an indenture eig- Cil tending into the side 4of said wall from the edge of said knock-out, an upset projection extending from the wall of said inclosure adjacent the outer edge of said indenture, and means extending through said indenture serving to fasten said trough to said wall, said means cooperating with said projection to make positive electrical contact between the wall and said trough.

4. In a device of the character described, in combination, a U-shaped trough, a flange on said trough, the wall of a switch inclosure comprising, a U-shaped trough knockout, an indent-ure extending into the side of said wall from the edge of' said U-shape'd knock-out, means extending through said indenture serving to fasten said trough to said wall, said means and the flange of' said trough substantially closing the indenture opening.

5. In a device of the character described, in combination, a U-shapcd trough, a flange onsaid trough, the wall of a switch inclosure comprising, a U-shape'd trough knockout, an indenture extending into the side of said wall from the edge of said Uf'shaped knock-out, means extending through said indenture serving to fasten said trough to said wall, said means and the flange of 'said trough substantially closing the indenture opening, and an upset projection extending from the wall of said inclosure adjacent the outer edge of said indenture, said projection and said means cooperating to make positive electrical contact between the trough and the cabinet.

6. In a device of the character described, in combination, a U-shaped trough, the wall of a switch inclosure comprising, a U- shaped trough knock-out, a V-shaped indenture extending into the side of said wall from the edge of' said U-shaped knock-out, an upset projection extending from the wall of said inclosure adjacent the outer edge of said indenture, a bolt passing through said V-shaped indenture, a flange on said trough covering a portion of said V-shape'd indenture adjacent said bolt, and means cooperating with said bolt to secure said trough to the inclosure wall, which means cooperates with the said projection to obtain electrical contact between the inclosure and the trough. j

7. In a device of the character described, iu combination` a U-shaped trough, the wall ol' a switch inclosure comprising, a U-shaped trough knock-out. an indenture extending into the side of said wall from the edge of said U-shaped knock-out, a ange on said U-shaped trough positioned on the inside of said wall, an upset projection positioned on said wall adjacent the outer edge of said indenture, and means for securing said trough to said wall of the inclosure, said means cooperating with the said projection to retain the trough in position and to obtain positive electrical Contact between the cabinet and the trough.

8. In a device of the character described, in combination, a trough, a flange secured to said trough, and the wall of a switch inclosure comprising a trough knock-out, an upset projection extending from said wall which provides a slot in the inside of said wall, and means passing through said wall for securing the trough to the wall through the agency of the flange and the said slot.

9. In a device of the characterdescribed, -in combination, a trough, a flange secured to said trough, the wall of' a switch inclosure comprising a trough knockout, an upset projection extending outwardly from said wall and which provides a recess on the inside of said wall, and a bracket spanning said wall and flange between said recess an the inside of said trough, said bracket serving to hold said trough in position in said wall of said switch inclosure.

l0. In a device of the character described, in combination, a trough, a flange secured to said trough, the wall of a switch inclosure comprising a trough knock-out, an upset projection extending outwardly from said wall and which provides a recess on the inside of said wall, a bracket spanning said wall and flange between said recess and the inside of said trough, said bracket serving to hold said trough in position in said wall of said switch inclosure, and means for holding said bracket in position, whereby said trough cannot be raised from the bottom of said trough knock-out.

11. In a device of the character described, in combination, a trough, a flange secured to said trough, the wall of a switch inclosure comprising a trough knock-out and a V- shaped indenture extending into the side of said wall from the edge of said trough knock-out, an upset projection extending outwardly fromsaid wall adjacent the edge of said V-shaped indenture to form a depression in said wall, and a bracket cooperating with said depression to hold said 4trough in said trough knock-out, whereby said trough cannot be removed from said knock-out without the removal of said bracket.

12. In a device of the character described, in combination, a trough, a flange secured to thetrough, and the wall of a switch inclosure comprising a trough knock-out, a portion of said wall being removable with said knock-out to provide a passage for fastening means, and clamping means extending across said last opening and holding said trough in desired relation with said wall.

13. In a device of the character described, iucombination, a trough, a flange secured to the trough, and the wall of a switch inclosure comprising.a trough knock-out, aA

portion of said wall being removable with said knock-out to provide a passage for fastening means, a clamping means extending across said last opening and one end thereof overlying said trough flange, and fastening means for holding said clamping means in desired relation.

14. In a device of the character described, in combination, a trough, a flange secured to `the trough #and the Wall of sli/switch inclo- :zure comprising a trough knock-out, a portion of said Wall being removable with said knock-out to provide a V-shaped indenture,

clamping means comprising a member having angularly-bent portions at its ends, a depression formed in said Wall, and seouring means passing through said indenture to hold said clamping means in desired relation with one end ofthe latter overl ing the trough flange and the other end positioned in said depression whereby said trough is held in said knocked-out portion against removal therefrom, said clamping means, When'in operative position, completely covering saidindenture.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto Subscribed my name.

BRYSON D. HORTON. 

